Secondary Spinal Tumours

Secondary spinal column tumours (originating from somewhere else in the body) are known to metastasize (spread) via arteries, veins, the lymphatic system, and directly. Malignant Tumours of the breast, prostate, lung, and kidney can spread into the spine.

This is the most COMMON cause of spinal column tumours in adults. 
Spinal Tumours can be dangerous when they cause spinal canal compression, which may lead to neurologic dysfunction (e.g. paralysis).

Many patients will present with neck pain as the primary symptom. The pain can occur at rest, be worse at night, and may or may not be related to activity. Other symptoms may include sciatica, numbness, paraparesis (slight paralysis), spinal deformity (e.g. scoliosis, kyphosis), and fever.

Spinal cord tumours are a different entity and are rare also. They are tumours that affect the tissue immediately surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots and may also originate within the cord or nerves. They are also classified into primary and secondary, benign or malignant.

Courtesy of: http://www.back.com/causes-Tumours.htm